motivates
|mo-ti-vates|
🇺🇸
/ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/
🇬🇧
/ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/
(motivate)
incentive provider
Etymology
'motivate' originates from French, specifically the word 'motiver', where Latin 'movere' (via the adjective 'motivus') meant 'to move' or 'causing motion'.
'motivate' changed from French 'motiver' (derived from Latin 'motivus' and ultimately 'movere') and was formed in English from the noun 'motive' + the verb-forming suffix '-ate', becoming established in modern English in the 19th century.
Initially it meant 'to set in motion' or 'relate to a motive'; over time it evolved into its current primary sense of 'to provide someone with incentive, reason, or enthusiasm to act'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'motivate': to give someone a reason or incentive to do something; to provide motive.
Her success motivates him to study harder.
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Verb 2
third-person singular present of 'motivate': to stimulate interest, enthusiasm, or determination in someone to act.
A clear goal often motivates employees to improve performance.
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Last updated: 2025/12/25 13:41